2011 Art Show Promises The Best Yet

News Release – New Zealand Art Show 2011 13 June 2011

For immediate release

2011 Art Show Promises The Best Yet

This year’s New Zealand Art Show, the biggest art show in the country, promises to be the best yet with more contemporary art works in a wider range of media, according to the Show’s selection panel.

Around 3,000 works by 475 artists have been selected from the 675 artists who submitted work for the 2011 Show. The New Zealand Art Show, until 2010 known as the New Zealand Affordable Art Show, is now in its eight year. This year’s Show will once again be held in the TSB Bank Arena on Wellington’s waterfront, and runs over three days from Friday, 29 July to Sunday, 31 July 2011.

The Art Show’s executive director Carla Russell says, “The panel has selected works by established and renowned artists, some of whom have exhibited at previous Shows and whose work will be exhibited alongside talented emerging artists, the stars of the future.

“What stands out from previous year’s Shows is that more contemporary and less traditional works have been selected. This is consistent with the trend towards artists experimenting and pushing the boundaries of their media. We think this will make for a more adventurous, challenging and exciting show, and appeal to a wider audience.”

Art selected for the Show include the visual arts, oils, acrylic paint and graphite pencil and limited edition mezzotint, etchings and screen prints; alongside limited edition photography; sculpture in wood, stone, metal and stainless steel; and cast and blown glass works.

Only original art from New Zealand artists is accepted for the Show; artists exhibiting must be New Zealanders or New Zealand residents. All accepted work must be for sale for between $50 and $5,000; the average price of the art that sold at last year’s show was $630.

Artists selected for the Show include Samuel Tupou, a New Zealand born Tongan based in Cairns, who has exhibited widely in Australia and has work in the National Gallery of Australia; Auckland artist Saehae Lee, a recent graduate from Elam School of Fine Arts, whose contemporary photography promises to challenge and provoke; and 13 year-old Eva Malthus who has been a regular contributor for the last five years and whose work has been described by selectors as displaying a sophistication belying her youth.

The Art Show has created three awards to provide ongoing support to artists and the arts community outside the Show, they are:
The Artist Grant, a six month development programme that includes mentoring, a studio/gallery, exhibition space at the Show and a $15,000 salary for six months (this Grant is awarded every second year, the next award is in 2012);
The Signature Piece Art Award, a $5,000 cash prize recognising artistic excellence. The Show’s selection panel chooses 10 finalists and the winner is chosen by public vote during the Show; and
The Winesale.co.nz Award goes to one of the 10 Signature Piece Award finalists and is selected by winesale.co.nz representatives who commission the winning artist to create two artworks to be used as wine labels for two wine varietals.

The Art Show is open to the public by general admission. The art displayed is constantly changing so there is always something different to see. Tickets cost $10 each, concessions $7, with children 12 years and under free. To pre-purchase tickets, email tickets@artshow.co.nz. Door sales are also available.

“The Art Show’s mantra is ‘affordable, collectible’ and by attending the Show visitors have the opportunity to start or add to their art collection while at the same time supporting New Zealand artists and the arts community. We’d also like to see an original New Zealand artwork on every home and office wall,” Carla Russell said.

ENDS

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